Filed under: Minivans/MPVs, Commercial Trucks, Dodge
Chrysler releases Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van
Click image for commercial-grade photo gallery
Chrysler has just released details on its commercial-grade Dodge Grand Caravan Cargo Van, which has tradesmen, small business owners, and other small fleet customers in its crosshairs (pun fully intended). Since it's a work vehicle, the second and third row seats have been eliminated. This creates 143.8 cubic feet of storage capacity in back, and to keep it from getting instantly trashed, the cargo floor is covered with an industrial-grade material. The interior trim for the second- and third-row seating areas can also be deleted completely, as the working man's Grand Caravan is designed to be a blank slate that upfitters can customize for role-specific duties. The forward compartment is equipped with YES Essentials fabric seats, a decent stereo, the to-be-expected variety of cupholders, power outlets, and storage areas, and a rubberized floor capable of withstanding daily punishment. Powered by Chrysler's 175-horsepower 3.3L flex-fuel V6, the Grand Caravan Cargo Van sports a 17/24 city/highway EPA rating. 16-inch steelies and a heavy-duty suspension are standard, and both the dual sliders and rear hatch are manually operated. While a panelized version isn't currently offered, the existing rear glass is tinted dark for maximum privacy, so you'll have to moosh your face right up against it to see what goodies your local bakery's hauling back there.
[Source: Chrysler LLC]
Gallery: 2008 Dodge Caravan Cargo Van
PRESS RELEASE:
Dodge Introduces All-new 2008 Grand Caravan Cargo Van
All-new Van Raises the Bar and Provides "Garagable" Solution for Small Business and Commercial Needs
- New cargo van continues Dodge's commitment to the commercial vehicle market
- All-new exterior and interior design offers ideal balance of utility, functionality and visibility
- Enhanced commercial suspension for heavier cargo without sacrificing ride quality
- Rear hatch convenience and dual sliding doors for ease of loading and unloading
- Abundant upfitter and storage capability
- Outstanding interior cargo volume space (143.8 cubic feet), flexibility and durability to handle the most demanding commercial jobs
- Standard features include a 3.3-liter V-6 flex-fuel capable engine, front and rear power outlets, industrial cargo floor, sunscreen glass, dual sliding doors, security alarm, Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, and YES Essentials® stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static cloth fabric
- More than 15 standard safety features including advanced multi-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), tire pressure monitoring system and energy-absorbing steering column
- All-new cargo van arrives in dealerships this fall
"With the introduction of our all-new Grand Caravan cargo van, Dodge continues to offer innovative solutions to the commercial vehicle market," said Michael Accavitti, Director – Dodge Brand SRT Marketing and Communications. "An ideal solution for a variety of businesses, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van's efficiency, flexibility and versatility make it the perfect work-vehicle for commercial customers who simply don't need the massive power of a Dodge Ram or the cavernous interior of the Dodge Sprinter."
The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is powered by an efficient 3.3-liter V-6 engine with flex-fuel capability mated to a four-speed automatic transmission delivering 175 horsepower and 205 lb.-ft. of torque. This powertrain provides fuel economy of 17 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 24 mpg highway. The drivetrain is bolstered by a special commercial-tuned heavy-duty front and rear suspension allowing for heavier cargo and added capability without sacrificing ride quality. The suspension, combined with hydraulic power-assist rack-and-pinion steering, front anti-roll bar and twist beam rear suspension with coil springs provides enhanced handling and driver comfort.
Packing plenty of comfort and convenience, Dodge Grand Caravan cargo vans provide business customers both a comfortable and utilitarian 143.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, 58.9 cubic feet of front compartment volume, maximum Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,050 lbs., Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 7,000 lbs., payload capacity of 1,500 lbs. and impressive towing capacity of 1,800 lbs.
The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo vans are designed to meet specialized small business and commercial customer needs, while offering exceptional occupant protection to ensure a safe and secure driving experience. In addition to outstanding interior space, rear hatch convenience and dual sliding doors provide ease of loading and unloading. Rear seats are not included to provide ultimate storage capacity. For increased protection, an industrial cargo floor covers the cargo area and front rubber floor covering is standard.
The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van features abundant upfitter and storage capability. Comfort and convenience features include dual glove boxes and multiple storage bins and cup holders. With superior space and versatility to handle the most demanding commercial jobs, dark sunscreen glass panels provide a pleasing aesthetic and improved visibility.
Standard features include 16-inch steel wheels, a 20-gallon fuel tank, power front windows and locks, front and rear power outlets, no intermediate or rear seats, industrial cargo floor and front rubber floor covering, sunscreen glass, dual manual-sliding doors, sliding door alert system, halogen headlamps, manual liftgate with single floodlamp, 12-volt power outlets in the instrument panel and rear quarter trim, tire pressure monitoring system, and intermittent front and rear wipers. An interior delete option is offered which removes the second- and third-row interior trim.
Additional standard comfort and convenience features include front bottle holders, dual glove boxes, AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio, and YES Essentials® stain-resistant, odor-resistant, anti-static cloth fabric.
More than 15 standard safety features include advanced multi-stage front air bags, side-curtain air bags (with option to delete), Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control and brake assist, four-wheel anti-lock braking system, BeltAlert, brake/park interlock, constant-force retractors, Door Alert, dual-folding exterior mirrors, Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS), front crush sensors, halogen headlamps, loose fuel cap message on instrument cluster, pretensioners, side door alert warning, three-point lap/shoulder belt with height adjusters, tire pressure monitoring system, and a patented energy-absorbing steering column.
The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is available in six exterior colors: Bright Silver Metallic, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Light Sandstone Metallic, Modern Blue Pearl Coat and Stone White.
Covering a broad spectrum of demographics, the typical customer for the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van includes entrepreneurial small-business customers such as "mom and pop" type businesses, operators of small fleets of 10 vehicles or less, and service and delivery vocations such as florist, dry cleaner and package/parcel operators. Target audience also includes small fleet customers with anywhere from 10 to 49 vehicles.
The all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van is manufactured at the Chrysler St. Louis South Assembly Plant in Fenton, Mo., and arrives in dealerships this fall.
Dodge Commercial Vehicles
Dodge continues to increase the breadth of its commercial products and offers a comprehensive array of vehicles and services designed with business customers in mind. Along with the Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Box-Off models and the Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis Cabs – the Class 3-5 segments' most powerful, capable and upfit-friendly work trucks – the Dodge Grand Caravan cargo van complements a growing Dodge commercial lineup that includes the class-leading Dodge Sprinter, which continues its legacy and leadership as the top-performing commercial van in the marketplace. Dodge also maintains a collaborative partnership with DaimlerChrysler, the world's leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles.
Dodge BusinessLink
Launched in 1999 and offering no-cost enrollment, Dodge BusinessLink is a full-service commercial program comprised of a select network of Dodge dealers who know and understand the unique vehicle needs of small businesses, fleet managers and other commercial vehicle customers. Providing exclusive benefits, BusinessLink dealers offer unprecedented business assistance including dedicated commercial account managers and sales teams, dealer inventories representing a higher mix of work-truck and other commercial vehicles, next in-bay service and technicians, extended hours to minimize downtime, free loaner vehicles and more. BusinessLink also includes our "On The Job" program which offers discounts on upfits and direct cash incentives and savings on almost all Dodge commercial vehicles.
Dodge Brand
With a U.S. market share of 6 percent, Dodge is Chrysler's best-selling brand and the fifth largest nameplate in the U.S. automotive market. In 2006, Dodge sold more than 1.3 million vehicles in the global market. Dodge continues to lead the minivan market with a 20 percent market share in the U.S. In the highly competitive truck market, Dodge has a 15 percent market share. Dodge is also entering key European volume segments with Nitro, Caliber and Avenger.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Donald 4:03PM (8/29/2007)
not the best looking cargo van... but hey, all cargo vans are ugly... just saying, its just another cargo van.
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Don 5:09PM (8/29/2007)
Might be more useful than a gas guzzling Econoline. For some folks, I mean.
Adam 4:16PM (8/29/2007)
slow news day...
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Paul 4:24PM (8/29/2007)
How do you manage to only get 175 horsepower from 3.3L? I suppose the milage id decent for a van, but still.
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Kowell 4:26PM (8/29/2007)
Good point...that power IS pretty low for a 3.3L. Still, wouldn't the 3.8L be more suited for a commercial van? What's the point of having all this space if filling it means the van won't be able to move all this mass.
Paul Y 4:33PM (8/29/2007)
Yeah, that is odd. My girlfriend's Intrepid claims 200hp from 2.7L (yes, that engine), which is perfectly reasonable.
However, 175hp isn't horrible for a van. I've driven a loaded camper based on the Chevy G30 chassis (with a 350, FWIW) that made maybe that much power when it was new , and it's perfectly reasonable in traffic and on the highway.
I still don't understand this modern obsession with vehicles being inadequate if they can't do 0-60 in under 6 seconds.
Kowell 4:43PM (8/29/2007)
"I still don't understand this modern obsession with vehicles being inadequate if they can't do 0-60 in under 6 seconds."
It's not a question of performance/acceleration (nobody should expect any from a van) it's a question of torque and the car's ease to pull it'S weight when loaded with commercial goods.
Don 5:11PM (8/29/2007)
Paul, that 3.3L has been used FOREVER by Chrysler. They've eaked power out of it in increments...my parents '93 Caravan with the 3.3L only had 150 hp.
Don 5:12PM (8/29/2007)
Oh, and pardon that "eaked"...it should be "eked".
What a dunce.
MikeW 6:54PM (8/29/2007)
So the 3.3 V6 doesn't make that much power/torque,175hp@5000, 205ft-lbs@4000.
The VG33 in the 1999 nissan quest/mercury villager made 170hp@4800, 200ft-lbs@2800, but that only had a 4 speed auto.
Oh wait, this engine doesn't get the 6 speed auto, and is saddled with the 4 speed.
Yeah progress.
Scott Morgan 4:30PM (8/29/2007)
That is a great idea but a very weak execution. The interior is the
same as the other without chairs and plastic floor. Whoop deee dooo.
There are cup holders in the cargo area. How unuseful is that? Was
putting a flat wall with attachments for (dare I say it) cargo
accessories that hard? Chrysler, please put a little bit of effort
into your product. I hope this kind of effort is not indicative of
things to come.
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Don 5:14PM (8/29/2007)
What did you want? Captain's chairs and plush carpet? This is a utility van, Scott.
St.J 5:18PM (8/29/2007)
I thought the same thing before i read the details. I thought wow those plastic trim areas are going to be toast in no time. It goes on to say they can be deleted. They might as well save some dollars and just remove them from all of them. Window Fill panels need to be standard also. I can see the rear side windows in little cubes now.
geo.stewart 4:38PM (8/29/2007)
my father-in-law uses a regular one for light duty work service (medical equipment). I would say its a mistake to take out the power doors. Carrying a load of medical equipment, the power doors are a must.
doesnt look like the stow n go areas are available either, another mistake, even if you moved to single hinged floor panels for them.
this could be so much better with just a little thought, as opposed to offering a stripped version.
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Barney 5:46PM (8/29/2007)
The Astro van served the same purpose. Unfortunately GM thought that the good sales of these, wasn't good enough. I have a neighbour who has an old Caravan with a four cylinder, on factory propane AND a manual transmission. It's a panel as well, with no gizmo's and he still uses it for moving odds and ends. I am surprised how much can fit in it.
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Kevin 6:53PM (8/29/2007)
Hey look! It's 1991 all over again!
:/
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Guenther 7:56PM (8/29/2007)
Tough part here is price point. If it's like the HHR panel, it might cost as much or more than a base van. I know a few guys that use minivans for work haulers, but every last one is a sub-5k cheapy, that can be thrashed for 2 years and then disposed of.
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jjpg2000 7:57PM (8/29/2007)
I hope this thing is cheap, like under $17,000. The 3.3\4speed is so old, it should cost next to nothing to make.
The General did much better job with the Panel HHR.
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John Cressy 8:55PM (8/29/2007)
Since Daimler owns almost 20% of this company I expect to see the Sterling version and the Freightliner version.
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Barney 10:00PM (8/29/2007)
Frieghtliner & Sterling (ex-Ford) deals with more heavy duty applications like the Dodge(?) van.